Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form inside the body, binding internal organs together...and leaving the victim to suffer incredible pain. Since adhesions elude the eye of standard medical tests, and many doctors do not discuss the illness itself, a proper diagnosis of adhesions, or ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder), is often left up to the sufferer!

Abdominal Pain. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You

Are you just too difficult to deal with? When it comes to certain illnesses-in this case, adhesions, you could be the marked patient, yet never know it.

As a child, I recall my grandpa talking about hobos that would step off the train as it slowed into town, their eyes peeled on the houses in front of the tracks. Time and again, these hobos would make their way to my grandma and grandpa's house. Grandma would give them a sandwich and a drink, always wondering why these beggars seemed to choose their home over the others. Her neighbor even laughed about it, telling my grandma that someone must've cast a spell on their home. The neighbor was glad she wasn't being asked for food! Years went by before grandpa told grandma what was really going on: These beggars had marked their home. Grandpa laughed as he told about grandma searching high and low for the "mark," but she couldn't find it.

A person who suffers from adhesions, especially if you are a severe case, often carries an invisible mark as well.

Why would the medical world mark these sufferers? We can only speculate, but it seems these difficult cases are quickly shunned due to the risks of becoming involved in this complex medical condition.

The doctor/specialist/surgeon may feel caught in a quandary. He or she can't possibly admit they do not want to take you on, thus they look for an out. This out normally comes via suggestions, often followed by prescriptions and/or referral to a pain center, etc. Anything to get you out the door! Talk to anyone who has suffered from adhesions, or is suffering, and they will tell you about the many doctors who have said one if not all of the following: 1. You have IBS 2. You're depressed 3. Is abuse going on? 4. Are you in an unhappy relationship? 5. We need to send you out for a psychiatric evaluation; and 6. I'm sending you out for tests (which will all return "normal" as adhesions cannot be seen on standard medical tests).

Yes, there are doctors who will operate--even multiple times--as in Ryan's case. Yet, in the end, as the problem escalates, the chance to receive proper medical treatment decreases. Sadly, your condition may now be worse, (as adhesions increase in density with each inadequate adhesiolysis). Yes, you're marked. Frequent visits to the ER are nothing like frequent flyer miles! No one wants to see you. They don't care how many miles you've acquired in your journey to become well; you are not a welcome sight. You must be a drug seeker, or you just want to WHINE, or you're just so darn unhappy!

Note: In all fairness, we recognize there are those who DO seek drugs, want to whine, and are just unhappy, however, it is downright cruel, unjust and inhumane to be treated as if nothing is wrong when you are in severe pain and have a history of major medical problems. This flippant attitude toward ARD sufferers happens all too often in ER's across the USA.

If all of the above is valid, then just what in the world is going on in the medical world at large when it comes to adhesion related disorder? In Ryan's case, pictures speak volumes! He has been operated on so many times that his abdomen became FROZEN. The more he became "marked," the more he was shunned completely.

As one might imagine, this standard medical stance not only leaves the sufferer in a nightmare existence, but the problem can now be twofold: When the doctor has a dismissive attitude, loved ones (those who already do not understand or comprehend the magnitude of this complex medical condition) may become dismissive as well. All too often, loved ones follow the medical lead and may begin to ignore the sufferer, accuse the sufferer, and expect the sufferer to just "get over it." Sufferers of this debilitating illness are now unfairly saddled with enormous emotional turmoil as well; all brought on by a medical force that demands this illness be IGNORED.

Thankfully, this is not where Ryan's story ends. Ryan was finally able to make his way to Dr. Daniel Kruschinski. Dr. Kruschinski is highly regarded in the field of adhesions and is known for taking on these medically "marked" cases that have been shunned and often deemed HOPELESS.

Thanks to Ryan for sharing his story and thanks to Dr. Kruschinski for his continuing work to help ARD sufferers regain quality of life.

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Doctors: Bound By Secrecy? Victims Bound By Pain!

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DISCLAIMER

The information found on this website is to share the personal story of my daughter's trying journey with Adhesion Related Disorder. This website is designed solely to: inform, educate, and shatter the silence that surrounds the illness of adhesions, or ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder). The postings within this site are the opinions of the author and/or guests who post here. No content of this website should be construed as medical advice. This site does not provide medical advice. Please consult your physician for all matters concening physical and mental health. 3/14/07